A Trip to Malacca – My Journal, Part 6

A’Fomasa

The A’Famosa is said to be be the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia, giving Malacca the unofficial historical state of Malaysia. It is the best known sightseeing spot although the remains of the fort is now a crumbling whitewashed gatehouse.

To understand why A’Famosa is such a well known sightseeing spot, and why Malacca was awarded the Unesco status, we have to go back a little in history.

In the beginning of the 16th century, Malacca, with a highly strategic state position for international trade routes, was a well-known international trade center in the East. Looking for outposts in the east, Portugal recognized that Malacca was a very important link for them to the Spice route in China. So the portuguese led by Alfonso de Albuquerque attacked and defeated the Sultanate of Malacca. It was then that the A’Fomasa was built, in 1511, and it housed the entire Portuguese administration, including hospitals, and churches.

In 1641, the Dutch wrestled control of A’Famosa and drove the portuguese out of Malacca.

A’Fomasa changed hands again in the early 19th century, when Malacca fell into British hands during expansionist Napoleonic times. The British ordered the destruction of the fort. Fortunately, Sir Stamford Raffles, (the founder of Singapore) who was visiting Malacca at the time, stepped in before the complete destruction of the old fortress. What we see today is the remains of the fort.

And that is how Malacca became one of the most unique places in Malaysia – a historical state with its mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences - rich with heritage buildings, ancient landmarks and colonial structures. Consequently, it was listed as a UNESCO site in 2008, and the status attracts visitors from all over the world for a glimpse of its rich history dating back to the 16 century.

Today, in Malacca, you can still see the imprints of British, Dutch and Portuguese forces left behind in forts, museums, churches and towers. And there is the remnants of the Portuguese Fort, the Portuguese Settlement and the Portuguese Square, and also a Dutch Settlement and also windmills in Malacca.

This is the St. Paul's church, build on the hill behind the Fort. The ruins of the ancient church are very popular among tourist and native people of Malaysia.

Portuguese Square

The Portuguese Settlement Melaka, or Kampong Portugis, is located a couple of kilometers out of Malacca city center. It is home to a small community descended from early Portuguese settlers.

At its heart is the Portuguese Square which comprises a courtyard with a number of seafood restaurants, a couple of bars and a small museum. We were there in the afternoon, and the place was quiet. The driver told us that it gets busier in the evenings.

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